Condition
OCD (Obsessive-compulsive disorder)
Intrusive thoughts and the compulsions that follow, however small or hidden they've become.
Checking the lock a fourth time, even though you already know it's locked. A thought that intrudes and won't leave until you've counted, arranged, or repeated something in a very particular way. An hour disappears to a ritual you didn't choose and can't quite explain to anyone else. OCD isn't about being tidy or particular it's a cycle of intrusive thoughts and the compulsions that temporarily relieve them, and it responds well to the right, structured treatment. At Chaitanya Raj in Vashi & Belapur, Navi Mumbai, we work with obsessive-compulsive disorder in its many forms, led by Lt. Col. Rajesh Sharma (Retd), with over 25 years of experience in hypnotherapy and cognitive behavioural approaches.
Common signs
How it works
OCD counselling starts with mapping your specific obsessions and compulsions in detail what the thought is, what the compulsion looks like, and what happens if it isn't completed. Your first session is a conversation about how long this has been going on and how much space it's taking up in your day. From there, we build a graded plan using Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) within a CBT framework, moving at a pace that's structured but never overwhelming.
Checking & Contamination OCD
Repeated checking locks, switches, appliances or washing and cleaning rituals driven by a fear of contamination are among the most common presentations of OCD. Treatment uses graded ERP to gradually reduce the compulsion while working through the anxiety it's masking, rather than asking you to stop cold.
Intrusive Thoughts (Pure O)
Not all OCD looks like visible rituals. Intrusive, unwanted thoughts often disturbing or out of character, with mental compulsions like reviewing, reassurance-seeking, or silent counting can be just as consuming and are frequently misunderstood, even by the person experiencing them. This track focuses specifically on reducing the mental compulsions and the anxiety driving them.
Symmetry, Ordering & Counting Compulsions
A need for things to be arranged, aligned, or repeated a specific number of times until it 'feels right' can quietly take over daily routines. This track works with the specific triggers involved, gradually building tolerance for things being left 'undone' or imperfect.
Our approach
Our approach combines Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), considered the gold-standard treatment for OCD, alongside clinical hypnotherapy where useful for managing underlying anxiety.
Frequently asked questions
OCD involves genuine distress the thoughts feel intrusive and unwanted, and the compulsions take up real time or interfere with daily life, rather than simply reflecting a preference for order. If it's causing distress or eating into your day, it's worth having it assessed.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is a structured form of CBT that gradually exposes you to a feared thought or situation while resisting the compulsion. It's done in a graded way, starting with less distressing triggers and building up, always at a pace you're ready for.
It varies by individual and how long the pattern has been established, but many clients see meaningful improvement within 10 to 16 sessions of ERP-based CBT. A realistic estimate is shared after the first session.
Yes, every session is completely confidential. What you share stays between you and your therapist.